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Dear Senator Conley,

The crux of your letter relies on the argument of the primacy of conscience and the inherent human dignity in us all. To begin with, then, have you consulted with your parish priest about how your conscience arrived at the “joyful expression of freedom and liberty” through the passage of the marriage equality bill in Rhode Island? Did you speak with Bishop Tobin who is our shepherd here in Rhode Island about why he opposed marriage equality? I do agree with you that each individual must make their decision through the light of a properly formed conscience. However, our Catechism also speaks of erroneous judgment. “Yet it can happen that moral conscience remains in ignorance and makes erroneous judgments about acts to be performed or already committed.” A conscience can be blinded; a conscience can make assertions on the mistaken notion of its autonomy.

As to your second point – that all people are created equal with inherent human dignity – I am also an advocate for this belief, especially when it comes to the unborn in the womb. But this is NOT about the equality of the human dignity of each person as so many same-sex marriage advocates would have you believe. This is about the protection of marriage. According to AmericanCatholic.org: “ Citing marriage's unique societal role in the procreation and raising of children, the Vatican said, ‘The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not and cannot be marital is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires it.’ The Administrative Committee said the church clearly teaches the dignity of homosexual persons and condemns ‘all forms of unjust discrimination, harassment or abuse.’ The bishops said their defense of marriage focuses "on the importance of marriage, not on homosexuality or other matters."

I would urge you to meet with Bishop Tobin. As we all continue our journey home to God in heaven, may all Catholic Christians especially defend our core beliefs. I am at the end of the baby-boomer generation and have seen several decades of bad catechetical instruction presented to Catholics. Now is definitely the time for the New Evangelization so that the truth may be presented clearly and consciences may be properly formed.

Peace,

Heidi